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Test Engineers | Test Operations Maintenance | Launch Ops Verified today

Blue Origin · Van Horn, TX · Production · first seen 2026-09-15
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Overview

Join the Test Operations Maintenance team at Launch Site One in Van Horn, TX. You will sustain thousands of components and dozens of sub-systems spanning structural, fluid, and electrical systems across three test sites. Your work will support liquid propellant rocket engine testing, thruster testing, and component and rig testing, plus initial build and activation of facility upgrades.

Launch Site One is Blue Origin's West Texas facility for engine, thruster, component, and rig testing. Your maintenance team's work directly gates the pace of testing and flight. This position requires dedicated commitment and detailed attention to safe and repeatable operations.

This is a 1st shift position but will require the ability to perform job duties outside of normal shift hours as needed to support test operations and maintenance windows. Up to 10% travel may be required to support other Blue Origin test sites during surge needs and for professional development.

Responsibilities

  • Author work instructions to safely perform maintenance on test facility hardware, including disassembly, inspection, and assembly of mechanical and electro-mechanical components.
  • Identify and define preventative maintenance for test facility hardware and support equipment.
  • Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for permanent problem resolution.
  • Support functional testing of components (valves, filters, regulators, etc.) using high-pressure pneumatics, cryogenics, or hydraulics. Troubleshoot, diagnose, and correct malfunctions.
  • Coordinate with external vendors to support preventative maintenance and repair efforts.
  • Participate in Test Readiness Reviews and Risk Assessment Reviews to ensure compliance with the Blue Origin Health and Safety Manual.
  • Provide technical support for new designs to ensure maintainability and operability.
  • Perform certified operations to support return-to-service post-maintenance and first-time activation of system upgrades.
  • Establish training curriculum for engineers and technicians and proctor training as needed.
  • Support robust inventory management of equipment and spares to sustain facility maintenance.
  • Support supervisors and managers in establishing best practices and effective work execution strategies.
  • Engage with multiple geographic locations and business units to support anomaly resolution, HazOp assessments, stand boards, design reviews, and operations and maintenance considerations for future facility expansions.
  • Actively introduce new technologies and capability improvements.
  • Identify inefficiencies, capability gaps, and potential improvements in the operations and maintenance process and implement better solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline with years of relevant experience per level (Test Engineer I: B.S. + 0-2 years; Test Engineer II: B.S. + 2 years or M.S. + 0 years; Test Engineer III: B.S. + 6 years or M.S. + 4 years; Sr. Test Engineer: B.S. + 10 years or M.S. + 8 years).
  • Experience in a test, propulsion, industrial, energy, or comparable hardware-rich operating environment.
  • Working knowledge of high-pressure, cryogenic, hydraulic, pneumatic, data acquisition, and electrical power systems commensurate with level.
  • Technical fundamentals in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
  • Ability to perform data analysis and establish dispositions or recommendations based on system performance.
  • Working knowledge of instrumentation including pressure transducers, thermocouples, silicon diodes, resistance temperature detectors, flow measurement devices, and accelerometers.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering standards, technical requirements, and engineering drawings.
  • Ability to safely work around pressurized systems up to 6,000 PSIG.
  • Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office applications.
  • Approachable disposition, open-minded, and able to adapt to rapidly changing requirements.
  • Calm demeanor in high-pressure situations with tenacity to resolve conflict and drive permanent problem resolution.
  • Continuous improvement mindset.
  • Ability to reliably commute to and work at a remote site approximately 25 miles north of Van Horn, TX. Relocation to Van Horn area or surrounding community is required; a personal vehicle suitable for the commute is required.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Desired Qualifications

  • Direct experience working at or with a rocket propulsion test facility.
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects from concept definition through full implementation.
  • Experience with Windchill or similar product lifecycle management tool.
  • Familiarity with CAD applications (Creo preferred).
  • Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, Winplot, or advanced Excel functions (VBA, Power Query, etc.).
  • Experience with computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and reliability-centered maintenance methods.

Van Horn Specific Information

As part of Blue Origin operations in West Texas, eligible employees receive additional attractive financial incentives to supplement competitive base earnings, including a living allowance and relocation assistance. Eligibility is based on the employee's ability to permanently relocate to Van Horn, TX, or travel to Van Horn from another Blue Origin location a minimum of 50% of the time.